Govt mulls another lockdown in Karachi

With trends showing a resurgence of Covid-19 in Karachi, the Sindh government is now considering re-imposing a lockdown in the city from next week, it was reported on Thursday, as authorities went ahead with imposing 'micro-smart lockdowns' in two localities of South district.

Karachi health director Dr Nadeem Sheikh told The Express Tribune that 24 localities in South district, 41 localities in Malir district, two localities in West district, a cluster of 39 houses in Korangi district, four localities in Central district and a cluster of 637 houses in East district had been identified as Covid-19 hotspots in the city.

He added that the hotspots would be sealed, while relevant authorities were mulling the possibility of a complete lockdown if people continued to disregard pandemic-related standard operating procedures.

Separately, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced the emergence of 361 new Covid-19 cases overnight, of which 249 belonged to Karachi. Among them, 85 were reported from South district, 66 from East district, 37 from Central district, 36 from Malir, 17 from Korangi and eight from West district.

Stating that the province's Covid-19 tally had climbed to 137,467 after the emergence of the new cases, the CM said that the coronavirus had claimed 13 more lives in Sindh, lifting the provincial death toll to 2,512.

Micro-smart lockdowns

Meanwhile, the South deputy commissioner issued a notification announcing the imposition of micro-smart lockdowns in the surroundings of Creek Vista Apartments in Defence Housing Authority Phase VIII, and Askari-III.

Besides, in a letter to the Central DC, the Central district health officer proposed imposing a mini-smart lockdown in localities of North Karachi, North Nazimabad, Gulberg and Liaquatabad where 46 fresh Covid-19 cases were reported.

The Sindh government had earlier announced that micro-smart lockdowns would be imposed in selected areas of Karachi, following a rise in Covid-19 cases. The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) too expressed concern over the uptick in Karachi, which accounted for nearly half the cases emerging in Pakistan on Tuesday

Starting Wednesday, the government imposed a micro-smart lockdown in West district's UC-8, after it reported 22 new Covid-19 cases among a population of 4,000.

According to a notification issued by the West DC, the entrance of unnecessary persons was restricted, while residents are to wear face masks. Furthermore, public transport and pillion riding have been banned along with public gatherings, while trade and commercial activities have been suspended. Only shops selling essential items and pharmacies may remain open, while one person from a household may leave the house at a time for necessary activities.

Police have also been deployed in sealed areas, and most shops remained closed there on Thursday, in line with the notification's instructions.

In Saima Arabian Villa, which houses 80 shops apart from residential apartments, only grocery sellers and pharmacies were allowed to open business.

Many shopkeepers waited outside in hopes of being allowed to conduct business, but in vain.

Law enforcers were particularly deployed around residential apartments, where they, along with apartments' management, ensured the SOPs were duly followed.

Only residents following government guidelines were allowed entry into apartments, where gatherings were also restricted.

Area residents, facing inconvenience in the face of stringent restrictions, complained they had not been informed of the lockdown beforehand and were given no time to prepare for it.

According to the West DC, the micro-smart lockdown in UC-8 of Gadap Town and Manghopir will remain in place until October 15.

Businesses sealed

In the meantime, further stepping up action against the SOPs' violations, the city administration sealed 61 restaurants and four marriage halls.

According to a report issued by the city commissioner's office, relevant authorities inspected 177 restaurants and 50 marriage halls across Karachi on Thursday, and sealed those violating the SOPs. Of these, the highest number, comprising 29 restaurants, was sealed in Central district.

Beside, a marriage hall each was sealed in Central and Korangi district.

The authorities also issued warnings to three marriage halls in Central district and 15 restaurants in East district.